I’ve just found this forum and it’s been so interesting reading about others’ experiences with vestibular issues. I’ve had chronic sinus problems/infections for decades, which my old doctor used to manage by throwing antibiotics at me. I learned that was NOT the way to go and have used neti pots, NAC, Xlear nasal spray, and sometimes Mucinex to handle my issues for the last ten years or so. In 2/2020 I was diagnosed with Vestibular Neuritis. After the “normal” recovery period, I’ve continued to experience symptoms off and on. Dizziness, feeling foggy and sort of “disconnected” from things, not able to focus my eyes when shopping, etc. I’ve also had Tinnitus in my right ear for years. Can’t even remember when it started. About four months ago, I woke up in the middle of the night with crippling vertigo. It was the first time it’s happened and lasted about 8 hours. I haven’t had an episode since, just bad dizziness that I manage with ginger tea and Sea Bands. Then last week, I woke up with a full feeling in my right ear, my Tinnitus was screaming, and I could hear my pulse like a sonogram in that ear. After a few hours, my ear “opened up” and the pulsing stopped. My normal level of Tinnitus returned. That episode and the continuing dizziness finally pushed me to head back to the ENT to see what might be going on. I don’t know if VN can flare up continually or if I have something else going on, but I thought I’d throw this out there to see if it sounded familiar to anyone, and if I could get any additional insight before my appointment next week. Thanks in advance for any thoughts you’re willing to share!
Well, it certainly sounds like Meniere's. Let's hope not. I have had these sudden attacks as well ( and still have roughly about once a month). With and without vertigo. The heart-racing and sweating are common as well. When I had the vertigo attacks, my tinnitus was louder, too, but with the non-vertigo attacks tthe tinnitus was incredibly loud to a point of deafness. If the theory with the Reissner-membrane tearing is correct, I think it depends on where it tears. I guess that would explain the types of different attacks. But for you, I think, you need more time to tell. I wish you the best!
Hi Amy Sorry to hear you have been suffering. What you described does sound like Meniere’s. Have you seen your doctor yet? All the best
Hello AmyK: you did not mention hearing loss which is one of the main symptoms of MM. I hope your hearing is ok. All of the other things you are experiencing are terrible enough.One thing to research is pulsatile tinnitus. I get that sometimes and it is maddening.
Thank you for the replies. My appointment with the ENT is tomorrow. I don’t have any hearing loss that I am aware of, but I expect they’ll test that tomorrow, as I had a hearing test when I saw them for the Vestibular Neuritis. In talking with my mother (who has had vertigo for years), I found out she has Pulsatile Tinnitus in her left ear. She’s never seen anyone for it, just lives with it. I’ve only had the one episode, so I hope it was related just to the ear fullness I was experiencing that day. Regular tinnitus is annoying enough - I don’t want to have to go down the PT road!
Marta, that is interesting, as my hearing today tested in the normal range. The ENT decided that based on my symptoms and the table eye test he did to send me for balance testing in the morning. He says his first inclination is that it is indeed Meniere’s. So I guess we shall see! Not especially looking forward to the testing tomorrow, but hopefully it will yield some more answers.